May 1, 2026 – The North American Marine Environment Protection Association is pleased to announce that its Executive Director, Molly Dushay, has been named Co-Vice President of the Southeastern New England Marine Educators (SENEME), the Southeastern New England chapter of the National Marine Educators Association. Molly will serve alongside Jamie Mack, who also serves as a K-12 Education Consultant for NAMEPA.
This appointment reflects Molly’s ongoing commitment to advancing marine and environmental education while strengthening meaningful connections between the maritime industry and the next generation. In addition to her leadership at NAMEPA, Molly is also a high school science teacher, bringing a hands-on, classroom-informed perspective to her work. Through both roles, she continues to bridge real-world maritime challenges with accessible, impactful learning experiences for students.
SENEME, as a regional chapter of NMEA, is dedicated to promoting ocean literacy, supporting educators, and fostering a deeper public understanding of marine and coastal environments. In her role as Co-Vice President, Molly will work alongside Jamie to expand regional collaboration, strengthen educator networks, and advance programs that inspire students to explore, understand, and protect our waterways.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and support a community of educators who are so committed to connecting students with our marine environment,” said Molly. “Growing up along the Long Island Sound shaped my sense of curiosity and responsibility to explore and understand the world around me, and that continues to guide my work today. It’s incredibly meaningful to now give back to this region and help strengthen opportunities for students to engage with and learn from our waters.”
“After two incredible years of presenting and connecting at NMEA conferences, I’m thrilled to be able to deepen my commitment to our local chapter,” said Jamie. “Molly and I are energized by the potential we see for this organization, and we can’t wait to put our ideas into action.”
Jamie brings extensive experience in K–12 education and curriculum development, supporting both SENEME and NAMEPA’s mission through the creation of engaging, relevant, and accessible educational resources that connect students to the marine environment and maritime industry.
Molly’s leadership continues to strengthen NAMEPA’s mission to Save Our Seas through education, collaboration, and industry engagement. Her involvement with SENEME further reinforces the critical role of partnerships in advancing ocean literacy and building a strong, informed, and inspired future workforce.
About NAMEPA
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a maritime industry-led organization preserving the marine environment by promoting resilient maritime industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. For more information www.namepa.net.